Tag Archives: workplace productivity

In nearly 195 countries around the globe, Earth Day provides companies with an opportunity to merge corporate strategy, brand and reputation, environmental stewardship, community affairs and employee engagement, all in one activity, on one day – April 22. Earth Day grew from the idea that if enough people were aware of environmental issues and vocal about their concerns, it would force environmental protection into the political agenda. It’s also a day for people to reflect on the ways the environment impacts us and why sustainability is such a priority.

Sustainability goes well beyond saving trees and recycling. The United Nations Development Programme has identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals that are focused on protecting the planet and its resources in ways that are crucial to our survival as well. We need air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat – and a planet that can provide those things for us in the long term.

Beyond simple survival, humans benefit from being in a natural environment – sure, we need trees and plants for photosynthesis to clean the air and provide oxygen, but it goes even further. Consider Shinrin-Yoku, or Forest Bathing. This involves visiting a forest for relaxation and breathing in the essential oils produced by trees. These oils, called phytoncides, are antimicrobial volatile organic compounds which may provide health benefits to humans as well as trees. In a 2010 study conducted across 24 forests in Japan, the subjects who participated in forest bathing had lower blood pressure, heart rate and concentrations of salivary cortisol — a stress hormone — when compared with those who walked through a city setting.… Read More

Many businesses today are making large investments in workplace renovations and sustainable upgrades in order to increase employee satisfaction, wellness and productivity. Yet, a Harvard study has discovered one factor to productivity that has been overlooked: air quality.

In October 2015, the Harvard Center for Health and the Global Environment published a study that found that the quality of the air we breathe has… Read More

Creating a culture of happiness in the workplace is no small task – especially in the face of many common work-related stressors like tight deadlines or long hours. Fortunately, the business case for creating a happier workplace – starting with initiatives to inspire gratitude and mindfulness – is stronger than ever before.… Read More

It’s easy to lose sight of qualities like mindfulness, gratitude, and happiness at work – especially when you’re already stressed to the max with a tough workload and tight deadlines. But recent research tells a different story: that fostering an environment of well-being in your workplace has implications beyond simply lightening the office mood.

What do you think of when you hear words like “mindfulness,” “gratitude” or “happiness”? Probably not the corporate world, where productivity and profitability are almost always top-of-mind. What role, then, does well-being play in creating a sustainable workplace? And how can a focus on workplace happiness contribute to the bottom line?

The science of happiness supports this line of thinking. When you feel positive, dopamine floods the brain – which activates your brain’s learning centers, increasing intelligence, creativity, energy levels, resilience, productivity and your overall sense of well-being in the process. Happiness is also a contagious, collective phenomenon – which simplifies the task of creating a true culture of happiness in the workplace. … Read More